The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-06-02
PAPA'S JACKET.

could only see hcr Ju9e Tor moment.
And my baby boy Glare wonder how
they are, and il she i thinking OF me. "
thus mused Bill D.. Of Co. f. 5th
N. Y. Duryea's Zosavss). the evening
preceding the second hsstlc Of Bull Run.
III / am wounded. taken prisoner or
killed. and his chesk blanched ut the
thought, .'the $50 lavs got together
viii 60 into the hands 81 others. Let
me see; | have i. Iv1l sew it in the
lining Of my Jacket" and suiting the
action to the word. he began ripping
open the inside of the garment.
He then wrote upon . scrap Of paper
the following:
Whoever finds this win receive the bless
ings Of loving husband and father by de.
livering it to Mrs. Dolly D., n. Y.
Co. +, 5th N. z. duryea's Zouaves).
He then wrapped it around the three
Sos, cut of piece Of his leggings,
sewed them in it, and then sewed the
whole ON the inside Of the jacket.
There, he.said, when he had finished
.'if am spared ! know where they are
il l am shot, in time some one may find
them-and Dolly may get them, God
bless her."
'.Hello, Bill! what are you looking SC
glum about? One would think you had
lost your best FRIEND" 1t was his old
friend Jack H who spoke.
ITO tell the truth, Jack, have 60,
the blues tonight"
..Oh, don't give way to anything o,
that kind. Billy.
Il know, Jack, but l can't help it
Ihave been thinking Of Dolly and thu
baby"
"Well l don't blame you, Bill, fol
she is worth thinking Of. Billy, ",
both courted Dolly, but you won her
and let me tell you that il anything
should happen you. my old friend, DOLLY
shall not suffer whilst have dollar. J
THANK you, my boy. You have
lifted a great loadfrom my heart. Jacl
] have great favor to ask of you;
know you won't refuse it. We have
marched side by side. slept under thu
same blanket, been together through all
the battles Of the Peninsula, and have
always found you true blue. We gc
into action tomorrow. Nothing il
more likely than that one Of US might
fall. II it is my lot l want you to stay
by me until the last; but il you have to
leave me. promise that you will take
my jacket, and when YOU have an op.
portunity send or give it to Dolly, and
tell her that there is letter scwed in
the lining forher. Now, my old friend
and comrade. have you any message
that may fultill?"
Jacks eyes filled with tears as liz
answered, .Yes, Billy; write to m,
old mother in Ohio that | have neyel
forgotten my promise to remember
her at night when taps are sounded
also tell your wife in years to come t.
remember me sometimes when sht
meets the rest Of the boys after peace j.
declared"
Soon the two comrades wrapped
themselves in their blankets and wer,
lost in slumber.
Reyille sounded. and the mon were
soon in line answering roll-call. Their
the line of march was again taken up
At length We were drawn up in lins
of battle. Our brigade consisted of til.
9Th and 10th regiments of Zouaves
attached to Sykcs's Division Of Reg
ulars Warren was in command, ant
rs he road his fiery charger down tho
line the men seemed to inhale new
life. We were deployed as skirmisher.
Jack said Bill. .'thc ball is open
We will keep together as We alway:
have. The skirmishers are being drive,
in: the shots are coming Closer Zip
Zip! Jack, have a forboding that
cannot rid myself Of"
"Chccr up, Bill; this is no time thinl
Of anything but your rifle
The order was given to fire. Then
as the enemy advanced through tn,
woods, We could see the adyantae,
they had over us We were on til,
turnpike, with clear field behind u
Jack, remember my jacket.' erie.
Bill as he fell forward, with the bloc.
streaming from bullet-hole in hi.
neck.
1t required but moment to turn
Bill over and look in his face. At ono,
his friend perceived that there was M
hope. So, with prayer for his dea,
comrade OH his lips, he quickly drew
the jacket from the stitfening body
Bill had answered the long roll for tn,
last time.
Warren's voice was now heard order
ing retreat. 1t was useless for Jaci
to wait longer, and with a last font
look at his old comrate, he left him ol
the field.
While retreating Jack changed hi
jacket for Bills, throwing his owl
away, saying: This is tho best wa,
to keep my word with Bill''
1t is not my purpose to review tn,
battles the gallant 5th participated in
that is matter Of history, Jack wa
badly wounded in the engagement an,
lay in the hospital several months be
fore he was discharged. He sent tn
jacket to his brother in New York, who
instead Of carrying out his instructions
preserved it as a keep sake.
Jack wrote TO Dolly while in tn
hospital, telling the sad news, and ais,
saying that after he had visited hi
mother he would como to New Yorl
and see her. He asked her to call OF
him for any service that he could grant
rs he had promised Bill to see that sh
wanted for nothing. This letter wen
astray, and Jack waited in vain for
reply. He thought she had forgotten
him or was too proud to ask his assist
ance.
Six years passed away. An old uncl
had died and bequeathed his fortune t
jack and his brother James, who wen